|
| INSIDE THE NUMBERS |
|
2000-01 record: 20-12;
8-8 in Big East (4th/East)
Postseason: Lost to Texas 70-57 in first round of NCAA Midwest Region.
RETURNING LEADERS
Points: Bell 21.6
Rebs: Sidney 7.8
Assists: Sidney 4.2
FG: Agbai 47.2%
3pt: Downey 40.8%
FT: Sidney 36.3%
01-02 Stats:
Boston College | Big East
KEY LOSSES
Kenny Walls | 12.9 ppg
Brian Ross | 3.6 ppg
PROJECTED STARTERS
G | Troy Bell | Senior
G | Ryan Sidney | Junior
F | Uka Agbai | Senior
F | Johnnie Jackson | Fresh
C | N. Doornekamp | Soph
Player to Watch
Troy Bell
Senior Guard
Contender to win Big East POY for second time in three seasons.
DATE TO REMEMBER
The Eagles play Syracuse just once in the regular season, and this one will come at the Carrier Dome.
|
BOSTON COLLEGE
EAGLES
 |
Whoever "they" is, they say you can't win in college basketball without experienced guard play. If they're right -- whoever "they" are -- Boston College ought to be able win this season. The Eagles have been to the last two NCAA Tournaments, and although last season was a close call, they ought to get back this season with ease thanks to senior Troy Bell and junior Ryan Sidney. Bell and Sidney combined to average almost 40 points 10 rebounds and seven assists per game last season, and they'll be helped by a beefy front line featuring forwards Uka Agbai (11.9 ppg), Craig Smith and Nate Doornekamp -- all of whom are at least 6-8 and weigh at least 250 pounds. Coach Al Skinner also has decent depth at his disposal, with 6-3 sophomore Jermaine Watson able to spell Sidney or Bell, and with two or three front-court reserves who ought to be capable of contributing.
TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Bell and Sidney might just be the best backcourt in college basketball. Bell (21.6 ppg) is the pure scorer, a former Big East Rookie of the Year as a freshman and co-Player of the Year as a sophomore. Sidney is the well-rounded tough guy who played several games last season with his jaw wired shut and still put up a Scottie Pippen-like 13.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
The Eagles, again, must prove they can muster the inside offense to complement Bell and Sidney's scoring from the perimeter. Agbai ought to be good for double-figure scoring on most nights, but someone will have to replace the scoring provided last season by 6-6 Kenny Walls (12.9 ppg). Doornekamp isn't a likely candidate, so keep an eye on two freshmen: the 6-8, 260-pound Smith and 6-6 Johnnie Jackson.
BOTTOM LINE..............................
After overachieving in 2000-01 (27-9) and underachieving last season (20-12), the Eagles would just about hit their stride to finish somewhere in the middle of both extremes this season, winning roughly 25 games, contending (but not as the favorite) for the Big East title and winning into the second week of the NCAA Tournament.
| |
|
